About

Combatives not only served to preserve Donnie Bowen’s life, they became his life.

After serving twenty-two years in the United States Army—fourteen of which were

spent in the Special Forces—his combative skills moved from the battlefield to the

mat, and from the mat to the screen.

Donnie competed in PanAm Jiu Jitsu and All Army Combatives, where he was titled

the lightweight champion in 2010. He has since competed in the California World

Championship and the World Masters in Las Vegas.

He took this competitive spirit to the screen as a competitor on Maximum Warrior, the

one-of-a-kind military reality competition that tests ten of America's most elite

military operators. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and was featured in an

Army commercial, he is recognized in the credits of the movie “Thank You for Your

Service”, Most recently, Donnie was chosen as a Special Forces Combative expert for

the History Channel’s, The Selection: Special Operations Experiment.

While Donnie Bowen has held positions of honor on and off the mat, his humility is

what positions him to serve his community and fellow soldiers with such great

passion. He and his wife, Michelle, started the Dojo, Bowen Combative Arts Academy,

and the non-profit, Battleground Perazim Inc. Combat FIT.

Donnie is a warrior, with or without a uniform. His heart is not to take the fight out of

the soldier, but to teach them what is worth fighting for in life. In Donnie’s own words,

“Combatives enable strength and confidence to stand up for their faith and what

means most to them. Instead of being a victim, be empowered to decide if you want to

bite back.”

Michelle Bowen, herself once a military spouse, understands first-hand what being a

ignored number feels like. Her soldier now retired, she also understands what happens

to a woman whose sole identity was in the military once that title is removed. It has

become her fiery passion to ignite the hearts of women back to the Word of God and

what He says about true womanhood.

While the world and its military sees nothing but the soldier, the loving Father in

heaven sees a beautiful masterpiece beside him, and joined to him.

Through this personal ministry, the Lord uses Michelle to reach into the brokenness

and bring healing to the woman herself, to marriages, and to families of which these

women represent.

Donnie and Michelle reside in Clarksville, Tennessee with their two daughters. They

have four children and currently, 9 grandchildren. One of their daughters married to

an Army Combat Medic, their eldest son serves in the United States Army. Their

youngest son serves in the United States Air Force.